Celebrant: Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?

People: I will, with God’s help

From the Baptismal Covenant

(BCP, page 305)

+

Dear Parish Family,

I write this reflection from Seaside, and the Convention of the Diocese of Oregon. It’s always good to see fellow clergy and friends of the Diocese, and to remember our larger connections to the Church. I am particularly grateful for our parish delegates, Susan O'Halloran and Ian Cartwright, who have graciously given of their time to be present as an important lay voice for Ascension Parish.

Bishop Michael has just offered his annual address, with a heavy emphasis on the future of the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon. His reflections ranged from practical matters (the sale of the Bishop’s Close), to larger questions of Christian life (how to continue to offer worship in the years to come). Interestingly, and in a typical Oregon fashion, he hitched these questions to themes of the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Here are some of the thoughts and questions he posed:

“We are on the right track when we lead together, and when everyone has a voice.”

“The way forward does not look anything like the way behind.”

“We need those who know the way we have always done things.”

“Who will our guides be?”

“What will we bring that is necessary, and what will we leave behind that is not helpful.”

Bishop Michael called on all of us to consider the broad question (as seen above): ”What do you believe God is calling the Diocese of Oregon to do and be now and in the future?” He is eager to draw many voices into this conversation. With that in mind, I’ll bring this question back to Ascension, and invite your thoughts and reflections as well. Stay tuned!

With Election Day (and the current state of our national conversations) on everyone’s mind and heart, Bishop Michael did encourage us all to remember our common roots and ground (as disciples of Christ), to refrain from the ease of finding blame in others, and to listen openly to one another.

I placed those words from our baptismal covenant at the start for good reason. May they be our guide through the cultural challenges of this season, and allow us to model a different kind of service and leadership to all we encounter.

This Sunday we’ll be celebrating the Feast of All Saints at Ascension. I’m looking forward to playing (and hearing all of you sing) some favorite hymns for the occasion, like
For All the Saints,
Jerusalem the Golden, and
O What Their Joy and Their Glory, which is set to one of my very favorite hymn tunes,
O quanta qualia.

I find that music can be very comforting as I remember my loved ones who have gone on to Heaven before me. In addition to the hymns we’ll sing at Ascension, there are many other musical performances in the spirit of remembrance coming up in our city - including three of the finest Requiems ever written!

Here's one in which I'm participating: Cantores in Ecclesia will sing a Requiem Mass for the Feast of All Souls this evening at 7pm at Holy Rosary Church on NE Clackamas Street. We’ll be singing Tomas Luis de Victoria’s
Requiem, a moving work from the Spanish Renaissance. You can read more on
Cantores’ website.

On Sunday, Nov. 4 at 2pm, the Celebration Works Concert Series is presenting a
free performance of Brahms’s German Requiem - in English. Brahms composed his German Requiem to texts he selected himself from his German Bible. He wanted his Requiem to be very relatable to everyday listeners, so it’s very appropriate that this performance will be offered in our own vernacular language! The performance will take place at First Presbyterian Church on 1200 SW Alder Street, directed by my friend Greg Homza.

If you're more interested in French music, then on Sunday, Nov. 4 at 5pm, the choirs of Trinity Cathedral are offering
Gabriel Fauré's Requiemin the context of a Eucharist vespers service. This setting is a great favorite of choirs because of its beautiful, comforting melodies and its soaring "Pie Jesu" solo for soprano.

Finally, on the topic of Remembrance, this Veterans Day (Nov. 11) marks the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. The Portland choir Capella Romana is offering a performance of elegiac works by English composers in honor of this anniversary. Their concert, entitled
They Are at Rest, will be offered at Trinity Cathedral on November 11 at 2pm. There are ticket discounts for students and for veterans. You can read more on
Capella’s website.

As we embark on these upcoming days of remembrance, I hope that you find comfort in our Savior’s triumph over death, which all these musical works portray so well.

Soli Deo gloria,

A Visit from The Rev. Raggs Ragan

On November 4 and 11, we are delighted to have the Rev. Canon Raggs Ragan with us as our Supply Priest. Raggs+ is the retired Canon Pastor of Trinity Cathedral. Please be sure to make her welcome in our midst!

Raggs+ has been ordained since 1979. She has served at Stanford University and in parishes in the Diocese of California. She served for 17 years as the Chaplain of Rowland Hall Saint Mark's School, which is something of a sister school to OES, located in in Salt Lake City.

Raggs+ came to the Diocese of Oregon in 2006, where she served as Rector of St. James in Tigard before joining the staff at Trinity Cathedral.

We are looking forward to having Raggs+ with us!

Remember: Turn Your Clocks Back on November 4!

Daylight Savings Time ends this weekend, early on the morning of Sunday, November 4!

Be sure to set your clocks back one hour - unless you want to be impressively early for church!

Artisan Faire at Trinity Cathedral

Saturday, November 10, 10am-4pm

Sunday, November 11, 9am-3pm

Trinity Cathedral is gearing up for its annual Artisan Faire, a great opportunity to support Trinity's Food Pantry, as well as supporting local artists!

At the Faire, professional artisan-crafters will share their work in ceramics, fiber art, fused glass, cards, handmade soaps, jewelry, journals, knit goods, origami, Palestinian crafts, photography, wood carving and more. This is a great place to get a head start on holiday shopping!

Admission is 2 cans of food or $2, and all donations support Trinity's Food Pantry & Arts Programming.

Flyers for this event will be available at Ascension this Sunday.

Our 130th Annual Diocesan Convention

The annual convention of the Diocese of Oregon is taking place right now in Seaside, Oregon. You can keep up with the topics under discussion by visiting the Convention's
Facebook page. We're grateful to all the delegates keeping track of our Diocesan business!

All Is Well

This week, as we remember our loved ones and parishioners who have gone on to glory before us, the lovely memorial bench to James Bode in our garden offers us a good reminder.

Bandon: St. John. WE PRAY that each of us may be empowered and emboldened to use the gifts for ministry that have been bestowed upon each of us, and to be unafraid to confess the faith of Christ crucified.

Beaverton: St. Bartholomew. Jeff Littlefield, rector; Pippa Lindwright, assistant rector; Mikel McClain. THANKSGIVING for new clergy leadership and the opportunities that await us as we enter into new ideas and relationships. Pray that we may be open to what God has in store for us.

The Collect for All Saints' Day (November 1)

Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.